This article was contributed by Annie Button.
Loneliness is more than just sadness. It’s a health concern that can have significant consequences for those suffering. Chronic loneliness has been connected to heart disease, cognitive decline, obesity, and depression; unfortunately, it’s something that’s more common amongst older people. The issue of loneliness is incredibly complex but there is one solution that’s easy to implement: food.
Food universally brings people together and helps up foster community. Through sharing meals together and engaging in food-related activities, we can promote social connections, especially for older people, and combat loneliness. Research carried out by the University of Oxford in 2017 found that when we eat with others regularly, we’re more likely to feel happier and satisfied with our lives.
Communal eating bolsters feelings of wellbeing and helps us feel part of the community. It gives us a social network to lean on in times of loneliness, which makes us feel supported.
How Food Brings Us Together
A hook to help us engage
Food is the ideal hook to help people engage with one another, because it provides a unified topic for conversation that everyone can take part in. From centrepiece celebration cakes to casual afternoon teas or communal buffets, food can be a practical tool to get people involved and draw them in.
Feeling valued
People appreciate the gesture of having food made for them. It’s an investment of their time and energy that people really value, and for those who are experiencing loneliness, this means all the more. In situations that they may otherwise stay at home, the presence of food at events can encourage them to attend and engage. Eating together is a social activity that welcomes people and lets them feel at ease, but it also shows that more effort has gone into planning it than simply meeting up together. It sends a message that those around you care.
An informal atmosphere
Food creates an informal space that helps people relax and develop connections with other people. It’s a great connector because it’s something we all have in common or have a story to tell about it, making it the perfect conversation starter. Food generates conversations by providing an inclusive space where everyone can feel involved.
A cultural bridge
Food holds a unique power to bring people together, transcending cultural and generational barriers. Sharing a meal is one of the most universal human experiences, deeply rooted in our social and cultural traditions. From family gatherings to seasonal celebrations, food has long been a catalyst for connection, storytelling, and the exchange of ideas. As a result, it’s a wonderful way to combat loneliness for older people and prevent the side effects that come with feeling alone, while also learning about other cultures in the local community.
An opportunity for empathy
Sharing a meal with someone else is a vulnerable act because it requires openness. But by embracing that vulnerability, we can see the world through the eyes of others and better understand their experiences and challenges. For men, in particular, who can feel like they need to be closed off and stoic, talking over food can help them to open up and share their perspective which can help us all develop empathy and understanding.
Break down barriers
From cultural barriers to linguistic or social, there are many reasons why older people might feel isolated and lonely. But regardless of our backgrounds, age, or lifestyles, we all have a connection to food. Sharing food or eating as a collective helps us to move beyond the stereotypes and preconceived ideas we might have about someone and create a space where everyone feels welcome.
Mental stimulation
Studies have shown that loneliness is related to a range of psychological risk factors for cognitive decline, from depression to predictors of dementia, because it affects structural changes in the brain. But engaging in conversations over shared meal times can provide mental stimulation that helps older people share stories, recall memories, and discuss current events. This all contributes to better cognitive health, as well as reducing the feelings of loneliness and poor mental health.
How to Foster Connection Over Food
We’ve explored the benefits of food helping to combat loneliness and fostering togetherness, but how can this be implemented into daily life? First, it’s important to remember than sharing meals with others doesn’t need to be a daily occurrence to have an impact.
Meeting with others might not be feasible every day, but as long as eating with other people can be achieved at least a few times a week, it can be impactful to mental health and feelings of loneliness. Easy scenarios are perhaps arranging to share a meal with a neighbour once a week who is also feeling lonely, or facilitating a visit to your parents’, siblings’, or your own family home at the weekends. Quality connections are more important than the quantity.
Another suggestion is to make mealtimes an occasion to celebrate. Maybe partnering a shared meal time with a boardgame session, or arranging a potluck-style evening where all those attending bring a dish along to save one person doing all the cooking.
Cherished recipes and good traditions can be revisited, evoking positive emotions for older people and making meals even more enjoyable. These types of events are ideal for adding another element to the conversation and helping everyone to feel more involved. Involving older people in the meal choices and cooking process also helps to tailor meals to their tastes, which promotes independence and makes the meal more engaging for them.
In our disconnected society, the simple act of sharing food with other people is often neglected in favour of a quick bite alone and on the go. But there are so many benefits to eating meals together, from improving cognitive health to building social connections and community to help combat the lonelier days. This is particularly important for older people who often struggle with being alone. Making the time to dine with others can make all the difference to our mental health, and can help us foster meaningful connections.
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